Famous Supporters for Wear A Hat Day

16,000 people diagnosedwith a brain tumour every year

Wear A Hat Day has gained significant celebrity support since the first event in 2010. We are extremely proud to have the backing of some very well-known faces and personalities; many of whom having been touched personally by the tragedy of a brain tumour. They have united with our cause and we are so grateful to them for using their high public profiles to draw attention to the premier brain tumour awareness event in the UK.

Debbie McGee

Radio presenter, performer and Strictly Come Dancing finalist“It is a shocking fact that brain tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer yet just 1% of the national spend on cancer research has been allocated to this devastating disease.

“Funds raised through Wear A Hat Day 2018 will develop the charity’s network of world-class brain tumour research centres in the UK. Please get involved if you can – it’s simple and fun to take part.”

Caprice Bourret

Businesswoman, model and actor“I’m proud to be working with the charity and all those taking part in Wear A Hat Day. I want everyone to get involved! It’s such a fun event and anyone can take part. Let’s all put our hats on and so something positive and support the fantastic research going on right now. I’m determined to try to make a difference for the 16,000 people diagnosed with a brain tumour each year.”

Sheila Hancock CBE

Actor and author“No-one can prepare you the news of a loved one being ill; when Jack was diagnosed with a brain tumour at the age of four, it was devastating for us all. Jack is now an accomplished young man and together we want to help raise awareness. Some 16,000 people are diagnosed with a brain tumour every year - more funding is urgently needed so that one day we can find a cure. My family always show their support for on Wear A Hat Day - we hope to see lots of you doing the same!”

Sarah Beeny

Entrepreneur, property expert and TV presenter“I am delighted to be an ambassador for Brain Tumour Research and to support Wear A Hat Day. Just 1% of the national spend on cancer research is allocated to this devastating disease. This is unacceptable! Please raise funds and awareness by wearing a hat, holding a fundraising event to get as many people as possible involved in helping fund the fight. Together we will find a cure.”

John Newman

Singer and musician"I was shaking I was so scared when I was told I had a brain tumour and it was a neurosurgeon who saved my life. To keep improving outcomes for others at my age that are being diagnosed with a brain tumour, we must seriously increase the funding for the research into this disease. I am delighted to bring awareness of Wear A Hat Day to all my fans and am asking everyone to please get involved make a donation to Brain Tumour Research. Let’s fund this fight together!”

Ed Balls

Former Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer and TV personality“I am delighted to lend my support to this wonderful campaign. Working together we will make a difference for those diagnosed with a brain tumour.”

Gillian Anderson

Actor“Brain Tumours kill more children and adults under 40 than any other form of cancer and yet research into this devastating disease is seriously underfunded. At best, research equals a cure. At worst, we still have improved outcomes for patients. We need to put much much more money into research, and that is why I’m supporting Brain Tumour Research and their excellent Wear A Hat Day campaign. Please join me and wear a hat during the UK’s premier brain tumour awareness event." Read moreShow less

Dr Dawn Harper

Doctor, media personality and TV presenter“All GPs can tell you of someone whose plight has stayed in their memory. For me I remember being called out in the evening to a patient in the final stages of his fight against a brain tumour. Not only did this poor man’s distress resonate with me, but it was all the more heart-breaking treating the patient whilst his eight year old daughter looked on. Too many children have lost parents prematurely and parents should never have to lose their children to this devastating form of cancer. We must act to improve outcomes for patients and increase funding into brain tumour research. In my role as a new ambassador for Brain Tumour Research, I am asking you to get involved in Wear A Hat Day – a fun-filled day for a vital cause. Help fund the fight. Together we will find a cure.”Read moreShow less

Ricky Hatton MBE

Former champion professional boxer“I am really happy to wear this top hat to support Wear A Hat Day for Brain Tumour Research. We need to raise funds to find out more about the biggest cancer killer of our children and you can have a laugh at the same time.”

War Horse and Cast

In 2015, we were honoured and humbled when the team behind the multi award-winning stage show War Horse paid special tribute to a much-loved colleague, Vic Hamilton, on the eve of Wear A Hat Day. An employee for more than a decade in the National Theatre’s transport department, 60-year-old Vic lost his battle with a brain tumour just weeks before the campaign.

The puppets, cast and crew of War Horse were well known to Vic as his responsibilities included the collection and delivery of props, costume, lighting and stages for War Horse and many other productions. All got into the spirit of the occasion and no-one was exempt, even Harold the Goose – who rather ‘stole the show’ with his Easter bonnet!Read moreShow less

Garry Christian

Lead singer of The Christians“I’m really delighted to be associated with Brain Tumour Research and their Wear A Hat Day campaign – I feel for every family going through the same turmoil at the hands of this vicious disease that my family did and hope as many of you as possible will join me in wearing a hat and raising funds and awareness for this vital cause.”

Jacqui Oatley MBE

Sports presenter“Brain Tumours kill more children and adults under the age of 40 than any other cancer. They are indiscriminate and can strike at any time of life. I’m supporting Wear A Hat Day because I know the devastation brain tumours cause. Help us fund the fight. Together we will find a cure.”

Linda Robson

Actor and TV presenter“I’m delighted to be able to help such a wonderful and passionate charity. My closest cousin Jackie had been diagnosed with a brain tumour and I’m amazed by the lack of funding being made available for this terrible and life-threatening disease, so I’m doing what I can to help raise awareness and increase support for Brain Tumour Research and Wear A Hat Day. Will you join in and help all of those affected?”

Jim Moir (Vic Reeves) & Nancy Sorrell

Jim is a comedian, artist and actor. Nancy is a model, actor and TV presenter“As parents with a young family, we know how much this disease can devastate entire families. So gather your children, your family and friends, and come together for this fantastic campaign, Wear A Hat Day. Any hat will do, just put it on your head and help us to fund the fight against brain tumours. Oh, and don’t forget to send them your great pictures!”

Kevin McCloud

Author, broadcaster and designer“Increase awareness of what can happen in the head by wearing something on it this March. Wear a Hat Day is the proper way to support Brain Tumour Research in their quest to find a cure for this silent killer. Brain tumours can be fatal if not diagnosed and treated early enough. I know because I have lost two people close to me who were diagnosed with brain tumours. So the more money we can raise to support further research into new treatments, the better.”

Ian Reddington

Actor

"Wear A Hat Day is such a great initiative to raise awareness and vital funds for brain tumour research. Having read the stories of so many children, young adults and mums and dads that have been affected I couldn’t help but get involved and I implore business leaders and the general public to get involved too.”

Richard Hammond

Presenter, writer and journalist"Hats off to Brain Tumour Research's Wear a Hat Day!!"

Tom Chambers

Actor, dancer and TV personality"I was shocked to discover that the prognosis for a brain tumour patient hasn't significantly improved for a generation. The only way we will improve outcomes for patients is through research so that's why I'm supporting Brain Tumour Research."

Rula Lenska

Actor and conservationist“Brain tumours can affect anyone at any time at any age and we still don’t really know what causes them. They are the biggest cancer killer of children and adults under 40, yet the research to find a cure receives just one per cent of the national spending. Get involved in Wear A Hat Day and raise vital funds for Brain Tumour Research”

Nigel Havers

FIlm and TV actor"I fully support Brain Tumour Research and their Wear A Hat Day campaign. You can have fun wearing any kind of hat whilst raising awareness for an important cause. It is shocking that just one per cent of the national spending on cancer research is allocated to this devastating disease. Everyone should get involved in Wear A Hat Day to fund the fight and raise money for Brain Tumour Research."

Brigitte Nielsen

Actor, model, musician and reality TV personality“Wear a hat not to cover your head but to open your eyes."

Lord Digby Jones

International businessman and cross bench peer in the House of Lords“Wear A Hat Day is a fun initiative to help fund vital research into brain tumours. I fully support it and urge you to do the same by wearing a hat, holding an fundraising event, and helping fund the fight against brain tumours.”